Dave D’Olivo, a seasoned veteran with over 30 years of experience teaching Physical Education at LVRHS, recently faced a challenge tougher than managing high school students: coaching lawyers from the Genova Burns law firm in a charity softball tournament. Despite the friendly nature of the event, things quickly became competitive.
The tournament, benefiting the Greater Newark Outdoor Fund, raised over $80,000 in a single day, with Genova Burns contributing significantly—especially after paying extra for strikeouts. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka kicked off the event by throwing the first pitch, which was fielded by Justin Walder, the mastermind behind the inaugural "Battle of the Barristers" more than 30 years ago.
Dave and his son, Dave Jr., who is set to follow in his father’s footsteps as a teacher, played crucial roles in both the team’s performance and the event’s success. Tammy Orlando, Genova Burns’ Director of Marketing, praised their efforts, saying, "I would not have been able to do it without them… so kudos to Dave."
Photo credit: Wm Hauser Photography 973.943.9192 https://williamhauser.photoshelter.com/